CS Irwin Cosmic Race

Irwin, Colorado-The first race of the season is today.  Despite heavy snow overnight race organizer Bryan Wickenhauser says the race will go on.

What an awesome race!  Thanks to Bryan Wickenhauser, Jake Jones, Cosmic and all the volunteers and racers that made this happen.  After braving the conditions on Friday setting the course and wondering just how hard it was going to snow and blow over night we woke up to beautiful conditions of fresh powder, moderate temperatures and calm winds.   The CS Irwin crew had been out on their control routes making the course safe and reporting stable conditions and excellent skiing.  The crowds grew as the Bison and Tucker snow-cats delivered the racers and spectators to the venue at 10,000 feet and 11 miles from pavement.  With reports of heavy trail breaking and some confusion in following the uphill flags that got buried overnight Wick had to pull out of the race and finish setting the first lap.

While the race was underway the weather broke a bit and offered us with some sunny spots revealing just some of the incredible terrain that is offered at CS Irwin.  The lead changed throughout the race but in the end it was Brian Smith that won in a time of 2:12:18.  Jan Koles (2:13:21) came in second and Pete Swenson (2:13:33) in third.

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